That’s the verdict of former Reds striker and BBC Sport pundit Rickie Lambert, who says a January deal would make no sense for his old club.

Coutinho was courted by Barcelona during the last transfer window following the world-record sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), were unwilling to sanction a transfer though and rejected three hefty bids.

The possibility of Coutinho swapping Anfield for the Nou Camp next month has been heavily mooted this week.

Lambert believes Liverpool have no reason to let the Brazilian leave in the new year.

But he’s suggested Coutinho deserved a summer switch because of what he’s done for the club over the years.

"I was confident that he was gonna be okay and get on with it," said Lambert on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He’s a lovely lad, he just gets on with his football and it means the world to him.

"He’s given everything for Liverpool, he’s given everything.

"I would have been gutted if he’d left but I would have appreciated everything that he gave to the club.

"The fact that he’s stayed, I cannot understand any reason for Liverpool to sell him in January. That does not make sense.

"I’m probably gonna get a little bit of stick for this but I think Liverpool should have let him go.

"If he asked to go, I know it was late in the transfer window and I can understand why we kept hold of him.

"But, if he’s made the effort to come out and say he wants to go, [after] everything that he’s done for the club, I thought he would have been allowed to go."